3rd-quarter update: Browns use turnovers to take 17-10 lead

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Browns forced three turnovers in the third quarter and used them to take a 17-10 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Safety Abram Elam single-handedly gave the Browns a 14-10 lead over the Jaguars.

Elam stopped running back Maurice Jones-Drew, stripped him, recovered, got up and returned it 18 yards for a touchdown. The fumble happened in the middle of a pile, and Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio chose not to challenge.

Elam might be having the best game of his career. In the second quarter, he intercepted Jones-Drew on a halfback option.

Fellow safety T.J. Ward got into the turnover act in the third quarter, grabbing a ball tipped up in the air by cornerback Sheldon Brown on a skinny post intended for receiver Mike Thomas. The throw was a little behind Thomas.

Rookie cornerback Joe Haden added his third interception of the year, stepping in front of a late David Garrard throw over the middle. Haden was stripped on the return, but linebacker Chris Gocong jumped on the loose ball.

The Browns lost a yard on the drive, but Phil Dawson made a 38-yard field goal for the seven-point lead.